Plant BuddhaFeeding
Fertilizer 101: when, how much, and when to skip it
Fertilizer is a supplement, not a magic potion. Plants make most of their food from light. What the fertilizer adds are nutrients that potting soil slowly runs out of.
Feed in the growing season
In spring and summer, when plants are pushing out new leaves, they use nutrients and appreciate regular feeding. In autumn and winter, growth slows, so most plants need little or none. Feeding a resting plant can build up salts in the soil.
A simple routine
- Choose a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer.
- Dilute it to the strength on the label, or even a bit weaker. Half strength is a safe habit.
- Feed about once a month in the growing season. Many plants do well on that and nothing more.
- Always water into damp soil, not bone-dry soil, to avoid burning roots.
Signs you might be overdoing it
- White crust on the soil surface or the pot's rim
- Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges
- Sudden leaf drop after feeding
If you overfed: flush the pot by running plain water through it for a few minutes, let it drain fully, and skip feeding for a while.
Who skips it
Brand-new plants in fresh soil, newly repotted plants and sick plants usually don't need fertilizer. Cacti and succulents like it sparingly, perhaps a couple of times a year.